Large Ceramic God Statue

This fine replica of a seated God is typical of the thousands of statues that have been found in Central America dating from 1, 500 BC up to the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. The cultures varied greatly over time and were centred in differing parts of Central America ranging from the Olmecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs through to the more famous Mayan and Aztec civilisations. However, many of the gods were universal to all the civilisations. The Spanish in their Christian zeal destroyed most of the records of the cultures they conquered so identification of the many statues and gods is very difficult. In this case, the crown of turquoise and the seated position observing his surroundings indicate that this could be one of the many images of the Aztec god of fire Xiutecuhtli. He was known by the Maya as Chac. He was a god of young warriors and his image was in every home when the Toxiuhmolpilia festival (New Fire Ceremony) was held once every 52 years to ensure that the sun was renewed at the end of a calendar period. Sacrifices were made to him in temples and in homes his image watched over the household hearth to ensure that the fire for cooking food survived. The large "earrings" were probably ear spools which the Aztecs and Mayans used to stretch their ear lobes. The wealthy and powerful used gold, jade and turquoise, while the poor used obsidian ear spools. Each statue has been carefully hand crafted in Jalisco, Mexico.

Specifications: 27cm × 40cm × 20cm

Origin: Mexico